Calclacite
| Calclacite | |
|---|---|
| General | |
| Category | Minerals |
| Formula | Ca(CH3COO)Cl·5H2O |
| IMA symbol | Calc[1] |
| Crystal system | Monoclinic |
| Identification | |
| Color | White |
| Mohs scale hardness | 1.5 |
| Luster | Silky |
| Diaphaneity | Translucent |
| Specific gravity | 1.5 |
| Optical properties | Biaxial (+) |
| Refractive index | nα = 1.468 nβ = 1.484 nγ = 1.515 |
| Birefringence | δ = 0.047 |
| 2V angle | Measured: 80°, Calculated: 74° |
| Dispersion | Relatively feeble |
| References | [2] |
Calclacite is a mineral and an organic compound. Its name references the components, which are calcium ions (Ca2+), chloride (Cl−) and acetate CH3COO−.
Characteristics
[edit | edit source]Calclacite is an organic compound with chemical formula Ca(CH3COO)Cl·5H2O. It forms crystals in the monoclinic system, with silky hairlike efflorescences up to 4 cm long.
According to the Nickel–Strunz classification, calclacite is an organic acid salt and occurs with formicaite (calcium formate), acetamide, dashkovaite (magnesium acetate), paceite (calcium copper acetate) and hoganite (copper acetate).[2] It is white and its hardness on the Mohs scale is 1.5.
Formation
[edit | edit source]Calclacite is formed on samples of rocks, fossils, and on fragments of ceramics, by the action of acetic acid produced from the oak of the storage cabinets.[2]